Differential changes in the morphology and fuel loads of obligatory and partial migrant passerines over half a century in Britain.

ABSTRACT: Migratory distances and stopover locations are changing for many passerines in response to climate change. Morphological changes have been linked to rising global temperatures in both migrants and residents, but the implications of these changes on fuel loads, and associated flight ranges are little studied. Wing length and body mass changes between 1964 and 2020 were calculated for 15 migrant and partially migrant passerines in Britain. Changes in fuel load and lean body mass were also estimated and used to predict flight ranges. Twelve of the species have undergone morphological changes and eight species, estimated fuel load changes. Nine species were estimated to have reduced flight ranges, indicating that the morphological changes have not compensated fully for the reduction in flight

SUBMITTER: Pickett HRW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11370066 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature